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Amiens

AMIENS

Amiens (8-9 August, 1918) was a key battle in the final Allied victory over Germany and one that marked the beginning of what became known as `Canada`s Hundred Days.` For the 15th Battalion, and all units of the Canadian Corps, it marked the first experience of a new tactical approach, one that involved the effective integration of tanks, artillery and aerial support with rapid infantry assault and manoeuvre, when attacking enemy positions.The Highlanders crossed the Amiens start line at 4:00 AM on August 8th and moved, in a direct support role, a tactical bound and often closer, behind the lead 3rd Brigade units, quickly and effectively eliminating enemy positions, bypassed by the rapidly advancing assault, moving up, when necessary, to fight alongside the 14th Battalion. Timings were met everywhere and the Highlanders were in new positions at the Brigade objectives, 5000 metres from the start line, by 8:00 AM the same day.Jumping off, from a location just south of Hospital Wood, on the second day of battle (August 9th), they stormed through enemy machine gun and artillery fire and the sudden loss of their wounded CO, LCol Bent and successfully pushed forward, fighting in support of and alongside the 5th Battalion, to seize their objective in the area of the village of Warvillers.Amiens was a clear and significant victory for the Allies, but for the soldiers of the 15th Battalion, there was a high cost, the loss of 39 killed and 151 wounded.

Lt Solon Albright KIA 9 Aug 1918

Headstone of Lt S. AlbrightCrouy British Cemetery, France

Map from the Regimental History ofthe 48th Highlanders of Canada 1893-1929

Men of the 15th Battalion posing with a captured Germanartillery piece during battle of Amiens 8-9 August 1918